Ports accept transfer request, plus full round-up

Darren Murray is on his way out of Portadown, plus all other confirmed deals

Portadown have accepted a transfer request from Darren Murray, although the club are insisting the striker will not be let go cheaply.

It is the second occasion that the 24-year-old has submitted a request to leave the club, the first was not accepted last summer. That had attracted the interest of Cliftonville, Linfield and Derry City – and that trio of clubs are once again best placed to chase his signature.

“I rate Darren as a top striker, so for that reason he'll not be going cheaply” said Ports boss Ronnie McFall of the former Donegal Celtic's striker situation. The news comes in the wake of the club releasing a statement that they were not in a position to add to their squad without firstly moving others on.

Elsewhere, Ballinamallard have signed former Northern Ireland international winger Ivan Sproule on loan from Linfield. The 34-year-old has joined the Mallards until the end of the season, and is available for this weekend's Irish Cup clash with Coleraine.

Another temporary departure from Linfield is young striker Adam Salley, who joins Carrick Rangers on loan until the end of the campaign. Carrick have also signed James Wright (Knockbreda) and Gareth McKeown (Glenavon) on permanent deals.

Elsewhere, central midfield duo Chris Morrow and Barry Molloy have both departed champions Crusaders. Long-serving Morrow has joined Glentoran on loan for the remainder of the campaign, while former Derry City captain Molloy has been released after an injury-ravaged twelve months at Seaview.

Coleraine have added former Blackburn Rovers defender Mark Edgar to their ranks. Despite signing a professional contract with the Lancashire side back in April, Edgar now joins his hometown club in search of regular first-team football.

Meanwhile, midfield pair Joe McDonnell and Emmett Templeton have both left Championship One pacesetters Ards.